News

RAPES IN EX-YUGOSLAVIA

Rape and Sexual Abuse by Armed Forces, a report on the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war In ex-Yugoslavia, was released by Amnesty International on January 21. The report documents organized centers specifically set up for the rape of women by soldiers. The report does not conclude that rape was deliberately chosen as a weapon of war by top military leaders, but does state that local officers were aware of and condoned mass rapes. Amnesty International, International Secretariat, 1 Easton Street, London WC1, UK.

PACKET ON UN WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

An information packet on the United Nations and women, with ideas on how to spread the Forward Looking Strategies developed during the UN’s Decade for Women, is available from the National Alliance of Women’s Organizations (NAWO) for £3.50. The packet also contains information on the 1995 UN Women’s Conference, which will deal with issues such as development, peace and violence against women. NAWO, 279/281 Whitechapel Road, London El 1BY, U.K.

HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY?

Purna Shova Chitrakar of Nepal, a participant at WRI’s recent women’s conference in Thailand, is collecting information on how International Women’s Day (March 8) Is celebrated by women around the world. Please send her information on how the event is celebrated in your country (by marches, public holiday, film festivals, etc.) and the history of the celebration: when the event first began, memorable celebrations, etc. The information will be used to update her book and to help spread awareness about the Day throughout Nepal. Contact: Purna Shova Chltrakar, c/o WODES, P.O. Box 5840, Balambu, Kalimati, Kathmandu, Nepal.

WOMEN AND PESTICIDES

Victims without Voices (US $10) is a new book about the situation of women pesticide sprayers in Malaysia. The pesticide paraquat is responsible for most poisonings in Malaysia, where some 225 people have died of pesticide poisoning between 1990 and 1991. The women Interviewed in the book told of mixing pesticides with their bare hands and of painful eye and skin diseases after exposure. “We have no choice,” said one woman, “we have to think of our families who need our income.” Victims without Voices is the first of a seven-country case study on the Impact of pesticides on women. Contact: Vasanthi Arumugam, Pesticide Action Network for Asia and the Pacific, P.O. Box 1170, 10850 Penang, Malaysia.

WOMEN AND NONVIOLENCE PROJECT

The Women and Nonviolence Project seeks to affirm nonviolent Initiatives women are taking on different Issues In different countries; provide a forum for women to share their strategies and experiences In nonviolent action; strengthen women’s nonviolent networks; and encourage action as part of an international campaign on nonviolence. The Project, sponsored by the Life & Peace Institute, the sub-unit on Women in Church and Society of the World Council of Churches and the Women’s Department of the Lutheran World Federation, will be a three-year process, carried out with the guidance of an international preparatory committee. An international meeting of 100 participants Is planned for 1993 in Soweto, South Africa. Contact: Di McDonald, Network Information Project, 30 Westwood Road, Southampton, SO2 1DN, UK. Tel. +44 703 554434.